Split ice making and delivery system for maritime and other applications

ABSTRACT

A split ice making and delivery system which includes a condenser and compressor sub-assembly which compresses and condenses refrigerant and a compact remote ice making sub-assembly. The remote ice making assembly may be integrated with an ice storage bin. The system further includes a refrigerant delivery sub-assembly coupled to the condenser and compressor sub-assembly and the remote ice making sub-assembly for delivering therebetween the refrigerant. The refrigerant delivery sub-assembly has a length sufficient to reach a upper level of a marine vessel, a remote room, or remote location to reach the remote ice making sub-assembly remote from the condenser and compressor sub-assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to ice makers for marine vesselsand recreational vehicles (RV) and other applications, and, moreparticularly, to a split marine ice making and delivery system whichlocates the ice making sub-assembly adjacent or in close proximity tothe ice storage bin and away from the condenser unit or compressor unit.

[0003] 2. General Background

[0004] Presently, refrigerant systems for marine applications are madeof a single unit which pushes ice threw long tubes which frequently clogsuch as, when pieces of ice adhere together. Moreover, such refrigerantsystems are relatively noisy as the ice is pushed to remote locations20, 30, and 40 of feet away.

[0005] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,724, issued to Grayson, et al.,entitled “MARINE ICE MAKING AND DELIVERY SYSTEM” discloses arefrigeration circuit located on the engine deck of a marine crafthaving an ice making assembly and a flexible conduit coupled to theoutput of the ice making assembly. The flexible conduit has a lengthsufficient to reach upper levels of the marine craft and reacheshorizontally remote locations from the refrigeration circuit to deliverice.

[0006] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,576,016 and 4,574,593, issued to Nelson,entitled “ICE MAKING APPARATUS” discloses a combination evaporator andauger-type ice-forming assembly operatively disposed between an iceproduct receiving area and a drive means assembly.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,433,559, issued to King-Seeley Thermos Co.,entitled “ICE MAKING APPARATUS” discloses an ice-making apparatus havinga rotatable auger and a helical evaporator. The output of the ice-makingapparatus is delivered to an extruder mechanism which causes flaked icefrom the ice-making apparatus to be compacted or compresses and formedinto discrete ice bodies or cubes. The ice bodies or cubes are deliveredto a storage bin via a conduit.

[0008] As can be appreciated there is a continuing need for a split icemaking and delivery system which eliminates forcing through very longconduits ice product which oftentimes becomes clogged.

[0009] As will be seen more fully below, the present invention issubstantially different in structure, methodology and approach from thatof the prior refrigeration systems.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0010] The preferred embodiment of split ice making and delivery systemof the present invention solves the aforementioned problems in astraight forward and simple manner.

[0011] Broadly, the present invention contemplates a split ice makingand delivery system comprising: a condenser and compressor sub-assemblywhich compresses and condenses refrigerant; a remote ice makingsub-assembly having a rotating auger, a fresh water freeze chamberadapted to be filled with portable fresh water and an outlet whereinrotation of said auger forces out, of said outlet, ice product; and, arefrigerant delivery subassembly coupled to said condenser andcompressor subassembly and said remote ice making sub-assembly fordelivering therebetween said refrigerant wherein said refrigerantdelivery sub-assembly has a length sufficient to reach a remote room orremote location and to reach said remote ice making sub-assembly remotefrom said condenser and compressor sub-assembly.

[0012] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is toprovide a split ice making and delivery system comprising an ice storagebin which is located in close proximity to the remote ice makingsub-assembly; and, means for channeling ice product from the remote icemaking sub-assembly to the ice storage bin wherein the ice channelingmeans has a length less than 10 feet.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a split icemaking and delivery system having a remote ice making sub-assembly whichis capable of producing 380-500 pounds of ice per day.

[0014] A further object of the present invention is to provide a splitice making and delivery system having a combination remote ice makingsub-assembly and ice storage bin wherein the remote ice makingsub-assembly includes a compact housing for storing the remote icemaking sub-assembly wherein the housing has a height of approximately29½ inches and a width and depth of 12 inches.

[0015] A still further object of the present invention is to provide asplit ice making and delivery system having a remote ice making assemblywhich includes an evaporator coiled around an auger having a refrigerantinlet line receiving refrigerant from via a refrigerant delivery line ofthe refrigerant delivery sub-assembly from the condenser and compressorsub-assembly to the refrigerant inlet line and a refrigerant outlet lineexpels spent refrigerant on return refrigerant delivery line to thecondenser and compressor sub-assembly.

[0016] A still further object of the present invention is to provide asplit ice making and delivery system having a control temperature sensorintegrated into or affixed to an ice storage bin wherein as the iceproduct reaches a predetermined level, a decrease in temperature isrealized at the control temperature sensor and the condenser andcompressor sub-assembly and the remote ice making sub-assembly aredeactivated.

[0017] A still further object of the present invention is to provide asplit ice making and delivery system having a thermo-expansion valvein-line between the remote ice making sub-assembly and the condenser andcompressor sub-assembly.

[0018] In view of the above, a feature of the present invention is toprovide a split ice making and delivery system which eliminates longconduits through which ice is channeled to a remote ice storage bin.

[0019] Another feature of the present invention is to provide a splitice making and delivery system which minimizes the operating noise.

[0020] A further feature of the present invention is to provide a splitice making and delivery system which channels through long conduitsrefrigerant to remote location in a marine vessel or craft or RV.

[0021] A still further feature of the present invention is to provide asplit ice making and delivery system which includes a water cooledcondenser unit for marine applications wherein raw water from about themarine vessel is used or an air cooled condenser unit is used for RVapplications.

[0022] The above and other objects and features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the drawings, the description given herein,and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0023] For a further understanding of the nature and objects of thepresent invention, reference should be had to the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like partsare given like reference numerals and, wherein:

[0024]FIG. 1 illustrates a view of the split ice making and deliverysystem of the present invention deployed on a marine vessel;

[0025]FIG. 2 illustrates a general schematic diagram of therefrigeration circuit of the split ice making and delivery system of thepresent invention;

[0026]FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the remote ice makingsub-assembly in combination with an ice bin of the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view along the PLANE 4-4 ofFIG. 5;

[0028]FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective the internal components of theremote ice making sub-assembly; and, FIG. 6 illustrates across-sectional view along the PLANE 6-6 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029] Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIGS. 2-5, thesplit ice making and delivery system of the present invention isgenerally referenced by the numeral 10. The split marine ice making anddelivery system 10 is generally comprised of a compressor and condensersub-assembly 20 in fluid communication with a remote ice makingsub-assembly 50 via a refrigerant delivery sub-assembly 40. The splitmarine ice making and delivery system 10 may further include an icestorage bin 70 or it may stand alone. The ice storage bin 70 includes aice scoop or ladle 71.

[0030] Referring now to FIG. 1, the split marine ice making and deliverysystem 10 is adapted for marine applications wherein the refrigerationcircuit 100 of the split ice making and delivery system 10 is split intotwo general sub-assemblies, the compressor and condenser sub-assembly 20and the remote ice making sub-assembly 50 adapted to be separated bymany feet, compartments or floors of a marine vessel 1 via a refrigerantdelivery sub-assembly 40. In an alternate embodiment, the split marineice making and delivery system 10 is adapted for RV applications.

[0031] In the marine application, the compressor and condensersub-assembly 20 is adapted to be deployed in the engine room 2 where rawwater or sea water is easily accessible while the remote ice makingsub-assembly 50 is adapted to be located in another compartment or floor3 remote from the engine room 2. Since, the remote ice makingsub-assembly 50 is in fluid communication with the compressor andcondenser sub-assembly 20 via the refrigerant delivery sub-assembly 40,the ice 90 does not have to be communicated remotely to the ice storagebin 70 on the marine vessel. Instead, the refrigerant fluid having anatural tendency to flow is easily communicated remotely in therefrigerant delivery sub-assembly 40 between the compressor andcondenser sub-assembly 20 and the remote ice making sub-assembly 50.Hence, clogging ice in such long conduits is eliminated.

[0032] Additionally, locating the compressor and condenser sub-assembly20 in the engine room 2 or other location minimizes the impact of theoperational noise therefrom on the occupants of the marine vessel 1.

[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, the remote ice making sub-assembly 50is housed in housing unit 52. The remote ice making sub-assembly 50 andhousing unit 52 are compact and are designed to be located in closeproximity to the ice storage bin 70. In the exemplary embodiment, thehousing unit 52 has affixed thereto the ice storage bin 70. As best seenin FIG. 6, the housing unit 52 has mounted to a front surface thereof afirst coupler or rail 73. The ice storage bin 70 comprises a secondcoupler or channel guide 74 adapted to connect to or mate with the firstcoupler or rail 73 to secure the ice storage bin 70 to the housing unit52. The housing unit 52 further includes means for channeling ice 75which is coupled to the chamber outlet 53 b. The means for channelingice 75 includes any one of a hose or tubing having a length of a fewinches up to 10 feet or a chute. The hose or tubing of the means forchanneling ice 75 has a diameter of approximately 1 inch. Furthermore,the front of the housing unit 52 is provided with a manual reset button78 to allow occupants to manually reset the system 10.

[0034] In the preferred embodiment, the housing unit includes lid 76 andrear brackets 77 for affixing the housing unit 52 to a wall.

[0035] The remote ice making sub-assembly 50 includes a rotatable auger54 rotatably mounted in a freeze chamber 66 and which is rotated by ahigh torque motor 56 connected via gear box 58 to the rotatable auger54. Thereby, no other extruding mechanism is needed to force the icethrough long conduits. The gear box 58 is stacked above the high torquemotor 56. The freeze chamber 66 and auger 54 are stacked above the gearbox 58.

[0036] The remote ice making sub-assembly 50 further includes anevaporator 60 which is coiled around the auger 54 and an insulatinghousing 64 encapsulating the evaporator 60. Refrigerant is supplied viathe refrigerant delivery line 42 a of the refrigerant deliverysub-assembly 40 from the compressor and condenser subassembly 20 to therefrigerant inlet line 61 a of the evaporator 60. The refrigerant outletline 61 b of the evaporator 60 expels the spent refrigerant on returnrefrigerant delivery line 42 b. The return refrigerant delivery line 42b delivers the spent refrigerant to the compressor and condensersub-assembly 20.

[0037] The auger 54 is selectively rotated by motor 56 to scrap or shavethe frozen water in the freeze chamber 66 and create ice 90. The freshwater from the fresh water reservoir 80, which includes a float 83,fills the freeze chamber 66.

[0038] Referring again to FIG. 2, the refrigeration circuit 100 will bedescribed in more detail. The compressor and condenser sub-assembly 20includes a compressor unit 22 which supplies a flowable gaseousrefrigerant, such as refrigerant R-22, to the condenser unit 24 on thecondenser refrigerant inlet line 25 a. The condenser unit 24 cools orliquefies the gaseous refrigerant and outputs, on the condenser's outletline 25 b, the liquified refrigerant to the refrigerant inlet line 61 aof the evaporator 60 via the refrigerant delivery line 42 a. A TXV orthermo-expansion valve 45 for metering the refrigerant is coupledin-line between the refrigerant delivery line 42 a and the refrigerantinlet line 61 a of the evaporator 60.

[0039] The liquified refrigerant flows through the evaporator 60 andexits the evaporator at the refrigerant outlet line 61 b and flows backto the compressor unit 22 where the refrigerant loop begins. As theliquified refrigerant flows through the evaporator 60, the water in thefreeze chamber 66 freezes via heat transfer.

[0040] The evaporator 60 surrounding the exterior of the freeze chamber66 causes the fresh water therein to freeze as the refrigerant flowstherethrough. As the auger 54 rotates the frozen fresh water is shavedto create ice 90. Moreover, as the auger 54 rotates, the shaved ice 90is channeled upward to chamber outlet 53 b where ice 90 is expelled andstored in ice storage bin 70.

[0041] In the exemplary embodiment, the condenser unit 24 includes awater cooled, cooper-plated tubing having a raw water inlet line 26 aand a raw water outlet line 26 b. The raw water inlet line 26 a receivesraw water from the engine room or from outside the marine vessel 1.There is a conventional water controller valve 29 in inlet line 26 a forcontrolling water in-take flow. As the raw water flows through thecondenser unit 24, the spent raw water exits therefrom through the rawwater outlet line 26 b. The flow of the raw water through the condenserunit 24 is controlled via pumping unit 30.

[0042] The raw water inlet line 26 a is an outer annular tubing and hasconcentric therethrough the condenser's refrigerant line (not shown)terminating between the condenser refrigerant inlet line 25 a and thecondenser refrigerant outlet line 25 b. The raw water intake iscontrolled by the water controller 29 in line 26 a which is controlledby the pressure of the system 10 for maximum efficiency of the system10.

[0043] The water controller 29 is used in the system 10 to accommodatefor a range of raw water temperatures such as from 40 degrees to 95degrees Fahrenheit. The condensing unit 24 also has low and highpressure control.

[0044] The refrigeration circuit 100 further includes a controltemperature sensor 85 integrated into or affixed to the ice storage bin70. Thereby, as the ice level increases in the ice storage bin 70, theice 90 will reach the sensor's level. The control temperature sensor 84is temperature sensitive to the temperature of ice and coupled tothermostat 87. The control temperature sensor 85 deactivates the motor56, the pump 30 and compressor unit 22 thereby deactivating therefrigeration circuit 100. In other words, the compressor and condensersub-assembly 20 and the remote ice making sub-assembly 50 aredeactivated.

[0045] Moreover, a water switch 82 is provided to maintain waterpressure at a minimum of 10 psi. If the fresh water reaches below 10psi, the system 10 will deactivate until the pressure reaches 10 psi.The system can be deactivated by providing a conventional safety switchor thermostat in bin 70.

[0046] In the exemplary embodiment, the voltage (V) is 230 V or 115 Vsingle phase and is delivered on lines 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c. Lines 2 a, 2 band 2 c are coupled to ground or common. In operation, when thetemperature decreases as the result of a high ice level, the thermostat87 switches off the voltage (V) delivered on lines 1 a, 1 b and 1 c.

[0047] Extremely low temperatures are used to achieve a super lowtemperature in which the auger 54 rotated under the high torque motor 56can shave the ice and produce super amount of ice in a small amount oftime and with little water. This is achieved by the TXV 45 inconjunction with a condensing unit 24. For example, the system 10 canproduce 380-500 pounds of ice per day.

[0048] The remote ice making sub-assembly 50 is designed to be compactso that it can be accommodated in a variety of locations where availablespace is constrained. In the exemplary embodiment, the remote ice makingsub-assembly 50 has a height of approximately 29½ inches and a width anda depth of 10 inches. As can be appreciated, the remote ice makingsub-assembly 50 can be stored under a cabinet, in a closet or on top ofa counter. The housing unit 52 is made of aluminum, high temperatureprimer and baked on paint to protect the remote ice making sub-assembly50 from salt water.

[0049] In the RV environment, in lieu of a water cooled condenser unit,an air cooled condenser is used. For example, a fan is substituted tocool the refrigerant with air.

[0050] Because many varying and differing embodiments may be made withinthe scope of the inventive concept herein taught and because manymodifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed inaccordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is to beunderstood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed as invention is:
 1. A split ice making and deliverysystem comprising: (a) a condenser and compressor sub-assembly whichcompresses and condenses refrigerant; (b) a remote ice makingsub-assembly having a rotating auger, a fresh water freeze chamberadapted to be filled with portable fresh water and an outlet whereinrotation of said auger forces out, of said outlet, ice product; and, (c)a refrigerant delivery sub-assembly coupled to said condenser andcompressor sub-assembly and said remote ice making sub-assembly fordelivering therebetween said refrigerant wherein said refrigerantdelivery sub-assembly has a length sufficient to reach a remote room orremote location and to reach said remote ice making sub-assembly remotefrom said condenser and compressor sub-assembly.
 2. The system of claim1, further comprising: (d) an ice storage bin is located in closeproximity to said remote ice making subassembly; and, (e) means forchanneling ice product from said remote ice making sub-assembly to saidice storage bin wherein said ice channeling means has a length of 10feet or less.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising: (d) ahousing unit for housing said remote ice making sub-assembly, saidhousing unit comprises: (i) means for channeling ice which is coupled tothe outlet of said remote ice making sub-assembly; (ii) a lid covering atop of said housing unit; (iii) rear brackets for securing said housingunit to a wall; (iv) a manual reset button to allow manual reset whensaid ice clogs said subassembly, wherein said housing has a height ofapproximately 29½ inches and a width and depth of 10 inches.
 4. Thesystem of claim 3, further comprising: (e) an ice storage bin locatedadjacent to said remote ice making assembly.
 5. The system of claim 4,wherein: said housing further comprises: (v) a first coupler; and, saidice storage bin comprises: (i) a second coupler adapted to connect tosaid first coupler to secure said ice storage bin to said housing. 6.The system of claim 1, wherein: said refrigerant delivery sub-assemblycomprises: (i) a refrigerant delivery line and (ii) a refrigerant returndelivery line; and, said remote ice making assembly further comprises:(i) an evaporator coiled around said auger having a refrigerant inletline for receiving refrigerant via a refrigerant delivery line from thecondenser and compressor sub-assembly and a refrigerant outlet linewhich expels spent refrigerant on return refrigerant delivery line tothe condenser and compressor sub-assembly.
 7. The system of claim 1,further comprising: (d) a control temperature sensor integrated oraffixed into an ice storage bin wherein as said ice product reaches apredetermined level, a decrease in temperature is realized at saidcontrol temperature sensor and said condenser and compressorsub-assembly and said remote ice making sub-assembly are deactivated. 8.The system of claim 1, further comprising: (d) valve means for meteringthe refrigerant in-line between said remote ice making subassembly andsaid condenser and compressor subassembly.
 9. The system of claim 1,wherein said condenser and compressor sub-assembly includes one of awater cooled for marine application or an air cooled condenser forrecreational vehicle application.
 10. A split ice making and deliverysystem for marine use, the system comprising: (a) a water cooledcondenser and compressor subassembly located on an engine deck of amarine craft in which raw water is drawn from ambient water about amarine vessel for the operation thereof and which compresses andcondenses refrigerant; (b) a remote ice making sub-assembly having arotating auger, a fresh water freeze chamber adapted to be filled withfresh water and an outlet wherein rotation of said auger forces out, ofsaid outlet, ice product; and, (c) a refrigerant delivery sub-assemblycoupled to said water cooled condenser and compressor subassembly andsaid remote ice making subassembly for delivering therebetween saidrefrigerant wherein said refrigerant delivery sub-assembly has a lengthsufficient to reach an upper level, remote room or remote location ofthe marine vessel and to reach said remote ice making sub-assemblyremote from said water cooled condenser and compressor sub-assembly. 11.The system of claim 10, further comprising: (d) an ice storage bin islocated in close proximity to said remote ice making subassembly; and,(e) means for channeling ice product from said remote ice makingsub-assembly to said ice storage bin wherein said ice channeling meanshas a length of 10 feet or less.
 12. The system of claim 10, furthercomprising: (d) a housing unit for housing said remote ice makingsub-assembly, said housing unit comprises: (i) means for channeling icewhich is coupled to the outlet of said remote ice making sub-assembly;(ii) a lid covering a top of said housing unit; (iii) rear brackets forsecuring said housing unit to a wall; (iv) a manual reset button toallow manual reset when said ice clogs said subassembly, wherein saidhousing has a height of approximately 29½ inches and a width and depthof 10 inches.
 13. The system of claim 12, further comprising: (e) an icestorage bin located adjacent to said remote ice making assembly.
 14. Thesystem of claim 13, wherein: said housing further comprises: (v) a firstcoupler; and, said ice storage bin comprises: (i) a second coupleradapted to connect to said first coupler to secure said ice storage binto said housing.
 15. The system of claim 10, wherein: said refrigerantdelivery sub-assembly comprises: (i) a refrigerant delivery line and(ii) a refrigerant return delivery line ; and said remote ice makingassembly further comprises: (i) an evaporator coiled around said augerhaving a refrigerant inlet line for receiving refrigerant via arefrigerant delivery line from the condenser and compressor sub-assemblyand a refrigerant outlet line which expels spent refrigerant on returnrefrigerant delivery line to the a water cooled condenser and compressorsub-assembly.
 16. The system of claim 10, further comprising: (d) acontrol temperature sensor integrated or affixed into an ice storage binwherein as said ice product reaches a predetermined level, a decrease intemperature is realized at said control temperature sensor and saidwater cooled condenser and compressor sub-assembly and said remote icemaking sub-assembly are deactivated.
 17. The system of claim 10, furthercomprising: (d) valve means for metering said refrigerant in-linebetween said remote ice making subassembly and said water cooledcondenser and compressor sub-assembly.
 18. A split ice making anddelivery system for marine use, the system comprising: (a) a watercooled condenser and compressor subassembly located on an engine deck ofa marine craft in which raw water is drawn from ambient water about amarine vessel for the operation thereof and which compresses andcondenses refrigerant; (b) a combination remote ice making sub-assemblyand ice storage bine wherein said remote ice making sub-assemblyincludes a rotating auger, a fresh water freeze chamber adapted to befilled with portable fresh water and an outlet wherein rotation of saidauger forces out, of said outlet, ice product into said ice storage bin;and, (c) a refrigerant delivery sub-assembly coupled to said watercooled condenser and compressor subassembly and said remote ice makingsubassembly for delivering therebetween said refrigerant wherein saidrefrigerant delivery sub-assembly has a length sufficient to reach anupper level, remote room or remote location of the marine vessel and toreach said remote ice making sub-assembly remote from said water cooledcondenser and compressor sub-assembly.
 19. The system of claim 18,further comprising: (d) a housing unit for housing said remote icemaking sub-assembly, said housing unit comprises: (i) means forchanneling ice which is coupled to the outlet of said remote ice makingsub-assembly; (ii) a lid covering a top of said housing unit; (iii) rearbrackets for securing said housing unit to a wall; (iv) a manual resetbutton to allow manual reset when said ice clogs said subassembly,wherein said housing has a height of approximately 29½ inches and awidth and depth of 10 inches.
 20. The system of claim 18, wherein: saidrefrigerant delivery sub-assembly comprises: (i) a refrigerant deliveryline and (ii) a refrigerant return delivery line; and, said remote icemaking assembly further comprises: (i) an evaporator coiled around saidauger having a refrigerant inlet line for receiving refrigerant via arefrigerant delivery line from the compressor and condenser sub-assemblyand a refrigerant outlet line which expels spent refrigerant on returnrefrigerant delivery line to the a water cooled condenser and compressorsub-assembly.